Ernie Els is in buoyant mood for this week's Tampa Bay Championship at Palm Harbour after winning his first title on U.S. soil in nearly four years.

The World number three shrugged off gusting winds in Sunday's final round of the Honda Classic to seal his 16th PGA Tour victory by a shot.

Els, 38, is eager to maintain his resurgent form when he tees off in Thursday's opening round on the challenging Copperhead Course at the Westin Innisbrook Resort.

"A win is what I needed in order to really kick-start my year so this couldn't have come at a better time," the three-times major champion said on his official website.

"Being up there last week, in the mix, feeling the heat and knowing that I can pull off the shots under pressure, that is what it's all about. It's amazing what a win does for your confidence.

"Even before last week I was telling people how I was enjoying practising and spending a lot of time on my swing and the technical side of my game," added Els, whose previous victory on American soil came at the 2004 Memorial tournament.

"My swing feels good, I'm driving the ball well and I'm hitting my irons nicely. Plus I'm holing some putts now.

"I guess you could say this recent win gives me even more momentum and enthusiasm for what I'm doing. There's still an awful lot that I want to achieve in this game and I really want to push on from here."

The Tampa Bay Championship, the second event on the 2008 PGA Tour's Florida Swing, starts on Thursday.